Gita Ch-7 v/s Ch-9

[Guest guest]

Greetings,

 

Since there is an on going discussion on

chapters 7 and 9 in the forum, here is my

opinion on these chapters. Chapters 7 and

9 look quite similar. It is unlikely though

that Chapter 9 is a mere repetition of Chapter 7.

For if this had been the case, why would

Shri Krishna start Chapter 9 by declaring

that what he is about to reveal is a royal

secret ?

 

In Chapter 6, Shri Krishna outlines the path

of Yoga, where one disciplines the Mind.

Jnaneshwar in his commentary, in fact says that

in Chapter 6, Shri Krishna outlines Hatha-Yoga.

Whatever be the case, Chapter-6 is definitely

outline of a path that not everyone can follow.

 

In chapter 7, Shri Krishna, then goes on to

describe the glory of the Self as experienced

by a Yogi who successfully disciplines the mind as

outlined in Chapter 6. Arjuna has a few questions

about the Chapter 6 - Chapter 7, and these details

form Chapter 8. Actually I sometimes doubt if

Chapter 8 was needed. Why did Vyasa not move this

material somewhere else ? Do other people also

feel that Chapter 8 breaks the flow of Chapter 6-7-9 ?

 

Any way, on hearing the path of Chapter 6-7, arjuna

started wondering if the path of Yoga has to be this

difficult. Actually, he was getting nervous about the

whole thing right from Chapter 6, where he raises many

questions that quite clearly indicate that he is

somewhat intimidated by this whole business. Then

Shri Krishna says, don't worry. If you feel that this

path of Yoga is too much for you to take, I will

instruct you on another path. The trick is instead of

starting from Ch6 and going to Ch7, how about starting

from Ch 7 directly and naturally establishing yourself

on the discipline outlined in Ch-6. This is the

great secret of Bhakti revealed in Chapter 9.

 

Regards

Shrinivas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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